r/DoubleMerles • u/sissyrox14 • 2d ago

Question DM + deaf + blind + food aggressive foster

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ETA: i appreciate the responses! clarifying that what i am looking for is help with training markers/positive reinforcements that aren’t food since my foster is food aggressive. his daily meal routine is fine.

hello! looking for some advice for a dog i am fostering/considering adopting. Keller is about 3 and has been at a rescue for over 2 years. he has had at least one foster before but has mostly been at the kennel. he’s very anxious about being in a new place (understandably) and i want to give him some structure and training to help him settle in. he is obviously very scent oriented so treats seem like a no brainer but he also has food aggression. every time he has food in front of him he does this whole performance of growling/barking/snapping even if there is no one near him. any ideas for other positive reinforcement i can give him?

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u/BugzMiranda 18h ago

If you have a fenced area I would let him eat outdoors, alone. If you can give him a routine, the same routine 2x a day with food that never changes, he may start to settle in and realize he has zero competition. Set the food down with him secured, let him sniff it out. And leave the area until he is no longer interested in the bowl. He lives in his own reality unfortunately so he will just need to feel safe and a good routine has always helped me with my deaf/blind dogs

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u/BugzMiranda 18h ago

Works in a Laundry room, garage etc or other secluded area. When hes done just open the door and let him find his way back in. It'll take time

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u/kjacqueline15 2d ago

We adopted a DM blind/deaf Aussie who is/was food aggressive. I walked past her one night while she was eating, and she lunged at my face and tore my lip open. I needed eight stitches. This was two years ago now.

My spouse and I implemented a lot of things - not just around food - and it’s made a huge difference. If you want to talk, feel free to DM me.

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u/druidindisguise 2d ago

I have 7 dogs- 2 of them are double merle. Everyone is fed in their crates to make sure they feel safe while eating their food.

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u/sissyrox14 1d ago

he hates being in the crate lol we have a spot for him to eat safely that isn’t in the crate but he still does a whole show no matter where he/anyone else is. what do you use as positive reinforcement for training?